Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection: Jameson Williams remains on NFI to start the NFL season

The Detroit Lions‘ 53-man roster is starting to come together in Year 2 under Dan Campbell. But as things change, the more they stay the same. Linebacker remains an issue for the team, which makes for what seems like a lifetime’s worth of underwhelming units there. But they have strengths elsewhere.

Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection

The Lions still don’t have their franchise QB, and they did a good job remaining patient in this year’s draft, not overdrafting a complete project at the position.

Starters will be annotated with an asterisk.

Detroit Lions offense (24)

Quarterback:
Jared Goff*
Tim Boyle

Running back:
D’Andre Swift*
Jamaal Williams
Craig Reynolds
Godwin Igwebuike

Wide receiver:
DJ Chark Jr.*
Amon-Ra St. Brown*
Josh Reynolds*
Quintez Cephus
Kalif Raymond
Tom Kennedy

Tight end:
T.J. Hockenson*
Brock Wright
James Mitchell

Offensive tackle: 
Taylor Decker*
Penei Sewell*
Matt Nelson
Obinna Eze

Offensive guard:
Jonah Jackson*
Halapoulivaati Vaitai*
Tommy Kraemer

Center: 
Frank Ragnow*
Evan Brown

Detroit Lions defense (26)

Defensive end: 
Aidan Hutchinson*
Charles Harris*
Julian Okwara
James Houston
Austin Bryant

Defensive tackle: 
Alim McNeill*
Michael Brockers*
Levi Onwuzurike
Isaiah Buggs
John Cominsky

Linebacker:
Alex Anzalone*
Derrick Barnes*
Chris Board
Jarrad Davis
Malcolm Rodriguez

Cornerback: 
Will Harris*
Amani Oruwariye*
Jeff Okudah*
A.J. Parker
Mike Hughes
Saivion Smith

Safety:
DeShon Elliott*
Tracy Walker III*
Kerby Joseph
Ifeatu Melifonwu

Detroit Lions specialists (3)

Austin Seibert (K)
Jack Fox (P)
Scott Daly (LS)

PUP/IR

WR Jameson Williams
DE Josh Paschal
DE Romeo Okwara
FB Jason Cabinda

The Lions’ 53-man roster goes light on the offensive side of the ball, at least until Jameson Williams returns from his ACL tear. The offensive and defensive lines are both strong units. Detroit’s front office is building the foundation of a winner. However, they need help at cornerback in a big way, and Okudah finally materializing into the player they believed him to be when they drafted him would be a huge step.